The first mention of Horizon City in the El Paso Times was a Dec. 15, 1959, article, "Elaborate proposal For Gigantic Model City, To Be Constructed Near El Paso. Outline," by Art Leibson:

"Plans for a giant model city, rising out of the desert to dwarf El Paso with its 167-square miles lying between Carlsbad Highway and the Freeway, were launched Tuesday in New York.

"The fantastically elaborate proposal was presented at a luncheon in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, before a guest list of industrialists and financiers. A similar meeting with top El Pasoans invited will be held at noon Thursday in the Hilton Hotel.

Designed for 1.5 million people

"Horizon City is projected as an entirely self-contained community, designed for a population of 1.5 million in years ahead. The 107,000 acres were acquired over a period of years by Arthur Rubloff & Co. of Chicago, one of the nation's highest developers. The Chicago firm retains an interest in the new development and joined in the announcement with Horizon Land Corp of Tucson.

"First construction will begin in the summer of 1960, when work is to start on a country club with an 18-hole tournament golf course and a separate 'par three' course. At the same time work will begin on the first subdivision of houses on the southeast sector. There also will be a regional shopping center and land will be set aside for schools, churches and parks. This phase is planned for completion by the end of 1962.

Raymond Telles pleased

"Horizon City would lie east and south of El Paso, extending from the freeway to Carlsbad Highway and close to the Ysleta cut-off. At the time when announcement of the land purchase was made, in July 1958, Mayor Raymond Telles said city officials were 'very pleased' to learn of Rubloff's interest, adding:

" 'I think it certainly indicates a bright future for El Paso.'

"Lucio Costa, Brazilian architect who designed the completed new capital city of Brasilia, hacked out of the Amazon jungle, is chief planning and design consultant for Horizon City. ..."

Developers moving cautiously

On Oct. 15, 1961, Leibson reported that Horizon City developers still had big plans but were moving cautiously.

In July 1962 national advertising for Horizon City was working. A traffic count by El Paso County Sheriff Department Deputies using an "electric traffic counter" reported 3,000 people visited Horizon City on a Sunday,

Two weeks later County Judge Glenn Woodard that the County Engineer's office reported that 1.2 miles of the Horizon City road needed repairs.

Work started on the Horizon City lake, Sierra Lago, in 1962 and the golf course was completed in 1963.

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Jesse Whittenton, Clyde Baker.(Photo11: El Paso Times)

An article in the Aug. 19, 1965 Times reported that two-time NFL all-pro Jesse Whittenton of the Green Bay Packers was trading in his shoulder pads for a golf club.

Whittenton and his cousin Donald Whittington of El Paso, owned and operated the $400,000 motel, restaurant and golf course complex.

Movie made to promote area

Two months later, Oct. 15, 1963, it was announced that a movie would be made to promote "the many scenic attractions of El Paso and vicinity."

A Feb. 10, 1973, advertisement said, "Horizon City is in the pre-development stage. Although we now have over 250 homes, townhouses and apartments, a brand new guest lodge and a $5,000,000 country club with golf course and swimming and tennis facilities, Horizon City is just in its beginning stages of growth and does not command the higher prices of fully developed land."

1977 was the first year incorporation appeared on the ballot — 700 of the 900 registered voters who turned out nixed the idea.

Then Jan. 23, 1983, with 76 percent of the 1,206 registered voters casting ballots, voted not to incorporate or allow El Paso to annex them. The vote was 476 to 369.

Finally, in 1988, the fear of being annexed by Socorro drove residents to incorporate.

Trish Long is the El Paso Times' librarian and spends her time in the morgue, where the newspaper keeps its old clippings and photos. She may be reached at 546-6179 or tlong@elpasotimes.com.